Drug Enforcement Administration

Rochester man arrested for distributing crack cocaine and cocaine

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Acting Special Agent in Charge Keith Kruskall, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Seymour Miles, 24, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in April 2018, the DEA began an investigation into a cocaine distribution organization operating in Rochester and Buffalo, N.Y. During the course of the investigation, the defendant was identified as a member of this organization, which was responsible for the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine to a network of customers. Between Sept. 24, 2018, and Oct. 18, 2018, the DEA conducted three controlled purchases of cocaine from Miles.

On Oct. 25, 2018, the DEA arranged for a controlled purchase from the defendant in Rochester. Once he arrived at the specified location, Miles was arrested, and law enforcement officers seized approximately 190 grams of suspected crack cocaine and approximately 60 grams of cocaine. A search warrant was subsequently executed at the defendant’s Paige Street residence during which officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun and .22 caliber rifle, narcotic packaging materials, scales, crack cocaine packaged for distribution, and packaging materials containing suspected heroin residue.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the DEA’s Rochester Resident Office and the Rochester Police Department.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.